Went to see Prince last night....

[Hot Rats]

I've been a Prince fan since the early 80's (my favorite bands in high school were BOC, Zappa, and Prince go figure) but oddly have never him live. I'd heard from several friends that his shows can be legendary so when he tickets went on sale a couple of weeks ago I had my wife grab a couple for day 2 of his 3 day stand here in Chicago. A couple of friends from work went to the first show on Monday and said it was just ok due to sound issues and that he only played guitar on 3 songs (oh the humanity!). So anyhoo, we go last night and he rises from the middle of the stage with his Telecaster and proceeds to play 5 or 6 of the best guitar solos I've ever heard over the next 6 or 7 songs. The whole stadium (18,000 plus) is totally getting down and he turns into James Brown over the next few songs singing and dancing like a 25 year old. He slows the pace a bit and becomes a crooner making all the ladies (and there were a ton!) almost fall over. He then puts it overdrive playing hit after hit, one great song after the next while he and his band are funking it up. I've never seen a performer with such complete command over his audience and the song selection and pacing were flawless. By the end of the set everyone is sweating profusely and ready for more. He proceeds to play five (!!) encores pushing the show well over 3 hours long. It was easily one of the best concerts I've ever seen and he's one of the best guitarists I've seen in 30 years of shows. It's been 9 years since he's played Chicago, see him while you can guys. Incredible.

 

[Route234]

He is an amazing live musician. I was dragged to one of his shows (Im not a big fan of his albums in general) a long time ago and left completely amazed at the guy. Hes a natural who just seems to play like hes not even breaking a sweat. Very fun to watch and his guitar playing really blew me away. Right up there with anyone for stage presence and showmanship.

 

[JamonGrande]

I agree 100%. I saw one of the shows during the long stretch at the LA Forum. At the beginning of the night he asked if everyone was ready to go all night... "we'll see"... and played till 12:30. About 1/3 had left thinking it was over during the many encore breaks.

total control over the crowd.

joe

 

[Jon C]

Glad you saw that, I've seen him twice and he floored me -- a cross between James Brown, Hendrix, Fred Astaire & Al Green, all in one

My wife was not a fan but after seeing him somewhat up close in ~'03 she was wowed, too. He is the real deal.

 

[drpoyer]

I had no appreciation for Prince, especially in the 80s. It was, and still is, not my kind of thing. However, for those in DC... Chai at Bangkok blues had some VHF converts of Prince long before Purple Rain and he was Jimi reincarnated, albeit shorter. Just a monster performer with a huge guitar sound. Nothing like what he became. I have never found those videos (even on youtube) and Chai gave them up with Bangkok. But at least I know better.

 

[tjinca1]

And to think, he uses pretty much just Boss pedals. Goes to show...

 

[thrashmetl]

One of the best shows I've ever been too and I wasn't even a huge fan. Best performer on earth, no one better. Mercury might have been close, but I think Prince is probably better.

 

[Average Joe]

Prince is the full package. I saw him two years ago and it's one of the best shows I've been to. There are other acts that I'm more into but I've never seen anyone work a crowd and a stage like that before or since

 

[shane8]

And to think, he uses pretty much just Boss pedals. Goes to show...

i hope he's not a tgper

i'm a big fan but have only seen live vids which looked amazing

 

[semi-hollowbody]

awesome...for some reason I am NOT surprised Prince is a crowd pleaser...and I love his guitar playing, definitely underated

 

[saneff]

I saw him in Greensboro during the Purple Rain tour in the mid 80's. Absolutely unreal performer. I will never forget the beginning. Way up on top of the speakers you see and hear Prince playing a guitar solo. Then, Prince rises up from under the stage. Turns out the Prince we saw on top of the speakers was just a hologram. But damn it looked real at the time. Gave me goosebumps.

 

[BadAssBill]

His 3 cd set has a whole CD of B sides that are just as great as his hits. Love prince.

 

[MKB]

I haven't seen him live, but on videos his command and conducting of his band is unreal. Insane. His guitar tones are not terribly good IMHO, sounds like pedals through a clean amp, but his playing is incredible for what it is. Maybe one of the best examples of genius use of a limited tool box.

Overall he's a total legendary genius. He'll be remembered long after he is gone.

 

[tooter007]

Miles Davis sums up Prince really well, sort of...except for counting his fingers, and changing the influences by the end...hmmmmm

 

[buzzp]

I haven't seen him live, but on videos his command and conducting of his band is unreal. Insane. His guitar tones are not terribly good IMHO, sounds like pedals through a clean amp, but his playing is incredible for what it is. Maybe one of the best examples of genius use of a limited tool box.

Overall he's a total legendary genius. He'll be remembered long after he is gone.

forget tone, the dude is incredible!

 

[Kentano2000]

I had no appreciation for Prince, especially in the 80s. It was, and still is, not my kind of thing. However, for those in DC... Chai at Bangkok blues had some VHF converts of Prince long before Purple Rain and he was Jimi reincarnated, albeit shorter. Just a monster performer with a huge guitar sound. Nothing like what he became. I have never found those videos (even on youtube) and Chai gave them up with Bangkok. But at least I know better.

I live in DC and I have NO IDEA what this post means!

 

[MKB]

forget tone, the dude is incredible!

That was my point, you don't need supreme tone to make supreme music.

Another funny thing is how the public in general thinks Prince is a guitar virtuoso on the level of Vai and Holdsworth, when he clearly isn't. Not that the general public even knows who Vai or Holdsworth is.

It doesn't really matter; his music and what he does in it with a guitar is magnificent.

 

[Black Squirrel]

I live in DC and I have NO IDEA what this post means!

I think He Means a Guy at a Blues Bar has old videos of Prince. Or something like that.

 

[Black Squirrel]

That was my point, you don't need supreme tone to make supreme music.

Another funny thing is how the public in general thinks Prince is a guitar virtuoso on the level of Vai and Holdsworth, when he clearly isn't. Not that the general public even knows who Vai or Holdsworth is.

It doesn't really matter; his music and what he does in it with a guitar is magnificent.

I would say he is better then Vai and Holdsworth Cause he makes songs.

 

[Hot Rats]

forget tone, the dude is incredible!

So true, the whole show I never even thought about his tone. I was too busy admiring the playing and dancing my ass off. From what I'm hearing from friends and reading on the interweb Tuesday's show was one of his better shows in a long time. It's so cool seeing such a legend on top of his game, my wife and I still can't stop talking about it.